Ontology-Based Data Access: The Experience at the Italian Department of Treasury

Ontology-based data access (OBDA) is a new paradigm for managing complex information systems through semantic technologies. In this paper we present what we believe is the first industrial experience of a comprehensive OBDA project, developed jointly by Sapienza University of Rome and the Department of Treasury of the Italian Ministry of Econonomy and Finance. After illustrating the state of the art of ODBA research at the beginning of the project, we describe the various steps we have carried out in order to apply the research results in a real-world settings, and the new techniques and tools we have devised to make the overall approach effective.